Uniportal endoscopic posterior cervical decompression for cervical spinal stenosis

Multicentric Case Series of Uniportal Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Decompression for Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Observational TecSalud Investigación Clínica · NCT06886802

This study will try a minimally invasive single‑incision endoscopic posterior decompression to relieve pain, numbness, and weakness in adults with cervical spinal stenosis who have not improved after at least three months of conservative care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 74 Years
SexAll
SponsorTecSalud Investigación Clínica Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León)
Trial IDNCT06886802 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter prospective case series will enroll 50 patients across three Mexican institutions to receive posterior uniportal endoscopic cervical decompression. The procedure uses a single small incision and endoscopic instruments to target and decompress neural structures while minimizing muscle and tissue disruption. Primary outcomes include changes in neurological deficits and disability related to cervical pain, with secondary measures of hospital stay, operative time, blood loss, and postoperative complications. The study is planned over 24 months with an initial 12‑month recruitment period and standardized data collection at participating centers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with cervical canal stenosis grade I–III (Kang scale) who have radicular or myelopathic symptoms, have failed at least three months of conservative treatment, and have not had prior surgery at the treated levels.

Not a fit: Patients with cervical instability, disc herniation at the index level, medullary T2 hyperintensity, prior surgery at the target levels, active infection, rheumatologic disease, or congenital spinal malformations are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the procedure could reduce tissue damage, postoperative pain, and hospital stay while improving neurological symptoms compared with more invasive open approaches.

How similar studies have performed: Minimally invasive endoscopic decompression techniques have shown promising results in small case series, but the uniportal posterior cervical approach remains relatively novel with limited high‑quality comparative evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Provision of informed consent to participate in the study.
* Patients with cervical canal stenosis grade I-III according to the Kang scale.
* Radicular or myelopathic symptoms.
* Having undergone complete conservative management, including physical therapy and analgesia, for at least 3 months.
* Patients who have opted for posterior uniportal endoscopic cervical decompression for cervical canal stenosis.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to read or write.
* Prior cervical surgeries at the levels to be treated.
* Infectious symptoms or concomitant rheumatologic diseases.
* Criteria of cervical vertebral instability.
* Congenital spinal malformations.
* Disc herniation at the same cervical level to be operated on.
* Medullary hyperintensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the level(s) to be treated.

Where this trial is running

San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Spinal Stenosis CervicalCervical Spinal Stenosis► Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures► Endoscopic Spine Surgery► Spinal Degenerative Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.